Meeting rooms are at a premium this fall, as hoteliers know. I couldn't find a room for the Nov. 2 meeting.
Our next meeting will be December 7 at Le Meridien. The following three meetings are also listed below.

Preventive Maintenance programs should include the inspection and cleaning of air ducts, air handling equipment, coils, fans, kitchen exhaust and dryer exhaust.

Cleaning ensures suitable indoor air quality. It removes dust, dust mites and other allergens, bacteria, fiberglass insulation fibers and debris. It also reduces the likelihood of mold, which grows on dust in humid conditions.

Cleaning can also improve HVAC performance and reduce energy use. It removes the dust and debris that decreases airflow and impairs the heat transfer effectiveness of heatingcoils. It can also reduce wear and tear on HVAC equipment.

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) 2013 Standard recommends annual cleaning of commercial building air ducts and air-handling units. The Division of Occupational Health and Safety recommends routine inspection of ductwork, and cleaning when deemed necessary.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends annual cleaning of dryer vents and ducts. Kitchen exhaust hoods are typically cleaned every three months, but the schedule recommendations varyby volume and stove type.

Duct inspection and cleaning should also be considered after construction projects, when odors are apparent, when mold is found and when facility managers experience problems with their ductwork.

The Division of Occupational Health and Safety recommends hiring only duct cleaning contractors who are members in good standing of the NADCA.

ASHRAE recommends that facilities annually, "inspect internally lined ductwork until [the] first turn or up to 20 feet from a potential moisture source such as supply plenum from air handler, outside air damper, humidifier, etc. for water damage and/or biological contamination and, if necessary, take corrective action."

A thorough inspection can be done with a borescope, which is a self-lighting camera that's the thickness of a pencil eraser. It can be snaked in ductwork to take pictures and videos of potential problems like leaks, mold and corrosion.

This technique was recently used at a large Boston hotel. The facility managers asked Dave Ableman, VP Operations, PROTEK, to investigate an apparent leak apparent coming from one of their ducts. Mr. Ableman identified a significant rust problem that had deteriorated much of the ductwork.

"The forum will focus on successful strategies for donating surplus prepared food and best management practices for source reduction of food waste."

Some of the highlights include a presentation by The Westin Waterfront GM and Director of Facilities on Donating Rescuing Leftover Cuisine, followed by a tour; and a presentation on Source Reduction of Food Waste at Harvard University.

Note that this forum is tomorrow. We're just past the registration deadline, but you may have luck getting in if you register today.

Submitted to Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, February 17

Wynn Boston Harbor (WBH), the $2.4 billion resort hotel and casino that will open in Everett in 2019, will have an impressive energy efficiency program. It will use only 60% of the energy consumed by comparable buildings. Also, WBH will deploy a sophisticated strategy to minimize the price it pays for electricity.

WBH will install two, 15' x 10' co-generation plants that will simultaneously provide 20% of its electricity demand and, "up to 50 percent of the [property's] annual heating and hot water needs."

WBH will also construct a 90,000 square foot solar array.

It will deploy batteries to store the electricity from its solar array. It will also fill the batteries with electricity purchased from the grid during off-peak hours when prices are low. WBH will then discharge this electricity during peak periods, when costs are high--thereby minimizing their peak period purchase. The resort will, "employ one person on site to monitor commodities markets to decide which time is best and what time is not best to buy energy."

The solar array, co-generation plants and batteries will make WBH more energy secure. During power outages, it will be able to maintain all critical functions and keep its guests comfortable.

The resort will implement other energy efficiency measures, including a 10,000 square foot green roof, an efficient central chiller plant, demand control ventilation for some of its public spaces, energy recovery ventilation, better-than-code insulation and day-lighting controls.

WBH will collect rainwater and store it in a giant storage tank in its parking garage. It will use this water to irrigate its plants, both inside and outside its building.